Russian Orthodox Church Holy Synod begins its extraordinary session

On June 13, 2016, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has begun its extraordinary session at the St. Daniel Monastery in Moscow. It is chaired by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the participants in the meeting with introductory remarks:

‘I greet the members of the Holy Synod!

Thank you for assembling urgently to consider very difficult matters concerning today’s developments around the convocation of the Pan-Orthodox Council.

Various reports are coming in. A whole number of Churches have refused to come to the Councils. There is a considerable criticism with regard of the documents. We have already had an opportunity to meet in order to consider and formulate our amendments to the documents. But, as you know, we have also proposed an appropriate mechanism through which these amendments could be introduced to the texts. This mechanism could also help us solve other problems arising before the Churches and making it impossible for them to attend the Council.

Our proposal was declined. Therefore, having also new information about what is happening today around the convocation of the Council, I have deemed it necessary to invite you to make before the Pan-Orthodox Council the final decision with regard to the position of the Russian Orthodox Church’.

The session is attended by the permanent members of the Holy Synod and the bishop summoned to its Summer Session (March-August).